The problem of anonymous calls has become a real scourge for smartphone owners, including popular models Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco. Every day thousands of users are faced with intrusive offers, fraudulent schemes or simply unwanted communication when the screen displays the words “Hidden number” or “Unknown”, which creates a sense of vulnerability and violates personal space, causing people to ignore incoming calls or, conversely, take risks by picking up the phone.
Fortunately, the operating system MIUI And modern versions of Android provide powerful tools to filter traffic, blocking hidden numbers on Xiaomi devices can be implemented in several ways, from built-in blacklisting features to specialized ones. USSD-Understanding these mechanisms effectively cuts off unwanted contacts while retaining the ability to receive calls from important interlocutors whose numbers are open.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available protection methods, from standard phone settings to advanced solutions through applications. You will learn how to set up automatic call back, what codes to enter to activate the service from the carrier and why in some cases installing third-party software is the only right solution.
Use of the built-in MIUI blacklist
The first and most affordable method, which does not require additional software installation or contacting the operator, lies in the depth of the system settings of the MIUI shell. Xiaomi engineers have provided a functional "Antispam", which by default may not be activated to block all anonymous calls, but is easily configured by the user. First, you need to open the standard application "Phone", through which you make calls, and go to the settings menu, usually hidden behind three dots or a gear in the corner of the screen.
In the menu that opens, look for the Anti-Spam Settings or Blocking section, which hides a key switch that allows you to control incoming traffic, you need to find an option that blocks unknown or hidden numbers. Different versions of the firmware can call it differently, such as "Block calls from hidden numbers" or "Disable anonymous calls." Activating this feature causes the phone to automatically reset the call before it starts making sound or vibrating.
⚠️ Note: Once you turn on this feature, you will no longer receive calls from all subscribers who hide their identity. ID. This may include not only fraudsters, but also bank, delivery or doctor employees who use a corporate connection to protect personal data.
It is important to note that anti-spam algorithms in Xiaomi are constantly updated. If you do not find the right switch in the specified place, try to update the Security app or the call itself through the GetApps store. Sometimes the settings can be made in a separate Security app, which is preinstalled on all devices of the brand. There are also extended filtering rules in the Blacklist section, allowing you to create complex lock scenarios.
Once the setup is activated, it is recommended to conduct testing. However, since it can be technically difficult to call yourself from a hidden number from another phone, it is better to trust the system logs. In the lock section, you often keep a log of rejected calls, where you can see the connection attempts that were interrupted by the system, which will confirm that the protection is working correctly and the filter is performing its task.
Blocking through codes and services of mobile operators
If the built-in smartphone means seem to you not reliable enough or you want to block anonymous calls at the network level (that is, the call will not even reach the phone), you should contact the services of a mobile operator. In Russia and CIS countries, major communication providers such as MegaFon, MTS, Beeline and Tele2 offer paid or free services to identify or block hidden numbers. This is the most effective method, since filtering occurs on the operator's server side.
To activate the service, a special USSD-These codes are unique to each operator and can change over time, so it is always better to check the current information in your personal account or on the official website of your provider. Below is a table with the most common commands for managing the number determinant and blocking anonymous calls at the moment.
| Operator. | Service | Activation code. | Deactivation code |
|---|
| MegaFon | Anti-Aon | *105*0011# | *105*0010# |
| MTS | Number-defining | *111*00101# | *111*00100# |
| Beeline | Number-defining | *110*09# | *110*090# |
| Tele2 | Number-defining | *129# | *129*0# |
It is worth considering that most of these services are paid. Daily or monthly subscription fees can vary depending on the tariff plan.In addition, activating the AntiAON service on your side does not guarantee that you will not see the numbers of others, but often operators offer complex packages. After entering the code, you will receive an SMS confirmation of the activation of the service.
What if the code doesn't work?
If, after input, USSD-When an error message arrives or the service is not activated, this may mean that this option is not available on your tariff plan, or the code is outdated, in which case you need to contact the operator's support service via chat in the application or call the hotline. Sometimes the service can be connected only through a personal account on the site or in the proprietary application of the operator, where the interface is more visible. The advantage of network locking over phone locking is that your smartphone does not consume battery life at all to process the incoming signal from a hidden number. This is especially true in areas of unstable signal reception, where every extra horn can discharge the battery. When standard Android tools and operator capabilities fail, specialized applications from the Google Play store come to the rescue. The mobile utility market is full of spam blocking solutions, and many of them have advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. Programs such as Truecaller, Kaspersky Who Calls or Calls Blacklist can not only block hidden numbers, but also identify telemarketing centers based on a user database. The principle of operation of such applications is based on intercepting an incoming call. When a call comes, the system analyzes the number. If the number is hidden (represented by an empty line), or a special application terminates the connection. To install such protection, you will need to download the application, provide it with the necessary permissions (access to contacts, call log, phone) and find the option “Block anonymous” or “Block hidden numbers” in the settings". 📱 Truecaller is a market leader, has a huge database of numbers, but requires registration and can transfer contact data (you need to carefully read the privacy policy). 🛡️ Calls Blacklist is a lightweight application with a minimalist design, perfect for older Redmi or Poco models with a small amount of RAM. 🔒 Should I Answer? is an open source application that relies on community feedback to ensure high trust and no hidden advertising. An important aspect of using third-party software is its impact on device autonomy. Constant monitoring of incoming calls can increase energy consumption. However, modern versions of MIUI have an aggressive energy saving system that can "kill" the blocker process in the background. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the installed application and select "No restrictions" or "Autostart" mode. Do not disturb" as a radical measure Sometimes the user needs temporary but absolute silence, when it is more important not to miss any unnecessary calls, but rather to ensure peace. In such situations, you can use the "Do not disturb" mode on smartphones, with flexible Xiaomi, which only allows you to set up your calls. To activate this mode, lower the notification curtain and select the moon icon or find the appropriate item in the Sounds and Vibrations settings. The mode settings require setting the Who Can Call rule to Contacts Only or Favorites. Since the hidden number cannot technically match any number in your phone book (because it is not being transmitted), such calls will silently deflect or simply not wake up the phone, depending on the notification settings chosen. This method is often used during meetings, sleep or rest. It is effective against spam, but you can only be sure that your phone numbers are kept in your memory. If you are waiting for a call from a courier or doctor who can call from corporate hidden numbers, this method is best avoided or temporarily added to the exceptions if they become known. ⚠️ Attention: In Do Not Disturb mode, alarm clocks tend to keep working, but notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) can be hidden unless you set exceptions for them separately, and the convenience of this approach is its versatility. You don't need any extra apps or paid operator services. It works on the Android operating system level. You can also set it up automatically on a schedule, for example, from 23:00 to 07:00, so that nightly calls from scammers do not disturb your sleep. 📊 What is the most effective method of blocking?Integrated blacklist MIUI:Mobile Operator Services:Third-Party Apps:Do Not Disturb Mode Filtering settings for different versions of Android The lock procedure may vary significantly depending on the version of the operating system installed on your Xiaomi device. While the old models work on Android 9 or 10 shelled MIUI 11-12, The new flagships have already received Android 13-14 Google is constantly changing security policies and access to the Internet API On devices with a clean or close to a clean version of Android (Android) One/Go), which are sometimes found in the budget segment, settings can be along the way → Settings → Locked numbers, often have a switchboard to lock unknown numbers". Unlike custom shells, here the functionality can be reduced. If you own such a device, reliance on embedded tools may not be enough, and installing an application from the previous section will become necessary. MIUI 14 They get an improved call management interface, and they're able to fine-tune scripts, so for example, you can create a Job profile where you block all the entertainment calls, but you skip the contacts from the workgroup, and you lock the hidden numbers all the time. It is important to monitor system updates, as security patches often fix vulnerabilities through which spammers bypassed locks. 🔄 Android. 10-11 Often, you need to manually grant permissions to access the call log for each application update. 🚀 Android 12+ Implemented stricter privacy rules, hiding some data from applications, which may require additional settings in the Privacy section". 📲 HyperOS has improved cloud database integration, making built-in anti-spam more efficient without installing third-party software. If you upgraded your phone and your settings are gone or moved, search inside the settings menu. Type the word "lock" or "spam" into the search bar at the top of the settings screen, and the system will itself indicate the current path for your version of the firmware. This is universal advice for all users of Xiaomi equipment. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will I pay to lock a hidden number through my phone settings? No, using built-in features MIUI Android to block numbers for free. You only pay for traffic (if settings require database updates) or electricity. The fee is only charged if you connect a paid Anti-AON service from your mobile operator. Can you block a hidden number but leave the ability to call from doctors or emergency services? Technically a hidden number is a hidden number and the phone does not see the difference between a fraudster and a doctor if both hide the ID. However, emergency numbers (102, 103, 104, 112) often have priority and can pass through blockers. For doctors, it is better to ask to call from an open number or use instant messengers. If the call was rejected at the network level (operator) or by the blocking application before the phone had time to ring, it may not appear in the missed log, but only in the application lock log. If you see them in Missed, then the hidden number lock setting has not yet been activated correctly. Do lock settings reset when you reset your phone to factory? Yes, when you completely reset (Wipe data), all blacklist settings and installed applications are deleted. You'll have to re-activate the anti-spam functions. USSD-codes are stored because they are linked to SIM-Does the lock work if the phone is in flight mode? In flight mode, the radio module is disabled, so incoming calls cannot physically reach the device. However, once you turn off flight mode, the accumulated calls (if the operator broadcasts them) may try to pass, and then your filter will come into operation. 💡An integrated approach combining built-in settings MIUI The services of the operator provide maximum protection against anonymous spam.